gusguyman

A team that was on pace for 100 losses traded away talent, and the only significant addition was a pitcher who has thrown 11IP, and started winning at a playoff worthy clip. That isn't a fluke?

Hopefully he can, but not at the rate he is doing it now, and a sub.200 BABIP is clearly a mirage. Although the record has been great, the team has a negative run differential since the break. It's been a blast, but this team has been very lucky.

Not to be the cold shower, but our great second half is propped up by some very unsustainable stats. Since the break, we are the only team in the top 5 of both BABIP and BABIP allowed (our difference of +.038 points is 0.008 more than second place Arizona). Our starters are 1st in BABIP allowed at .252, and Rodon in particular is outperforming his FIP by a point and a half and has an obviously unsustainable .169 BABIP allowed. There is still good news, as Gio has shown huge improvement in his peripherals to match his recent results. But this team has been luckier than good, so it is pretty unreasonable to think this is a .500 team as stands next year. Probably closer to the 75 win team many hoped this year could be, if the core improves. (I suppose that means the team could be a marquee free agent from 81 wins though).